The Iranian diaspora in Malaysia: a socio-economic and political analysis

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis paper is a preliminary study on the Iranian diaspora in Malaysia. It explores the composition of the Iranian diaspora in Malaysia, and the push factors that have led to its migration to Malaysia. The paper also sheds light on different types of business operations the Iranians are engaged in Malaysia. Having done this, the paper analyses the socio-economic impacts of Iranians expatriates on their host society. It also examines the Iranian expatriates’ response to the political and social developments taking place in Iran. Finally, the paper deals with the Iranian government’s policy towards the Iranian diaspora in Malaysia. Based on fieldwork and purposive unstructured interviews with Iranian expatriates, as well as some other primary and secondary sources, the paper finds that the Iranian diaspora in Malaysia is a multi-layered community. Each layer has its own reasons for choosing Malaysia as a destination for its migration. Also, this paper finds that the majority of the Iranian expatriates in Malaysia view their migration to the country as a compulsion rather than an option. This is a major reason for the Iranian community’s disinterest in integrating with the local community. Finally, the paper discovers that that the Iranian government has serious concerns about the presence of Iranians in Malaysia.